The New Nation - Internet Edition

THE harvest of the Boro rice crop has commenced all over the country. The harvest would be completed well before the end of this month hopefully leaving the country with a record output. The government looks forward to steering the country into a safe zone of food security by storing up the additional Boro produce through procurement. The plans are there to procure some 1.2 million tonnes of rice and three tonnes of paddy to build a buffer stock to meet any adverse situation in short and medium terms.

Procurement of the locally produced food grains is seen as extremely important in the backdrop of the soaring international prices. The best option for Bangladesh is to have its own reserve of food grains. But some ominous signs are there that the government may not meet its procurement target. Some mill owners are going for their own private procurement of the harvested Boro rice and paddy. The millers are offering prices for rice and paddy to farmers at higher than government offered prices. They are also buying directly from the homesteads of farmers and paying them immediately in cash. Local agents of the smugglers are reportedly doing the same exercise.

Therefore, the government needs to take immediate steps to counteract the moves of the hoarders and smugglers. It may have to increase the procurement prices which should be at least at par or somewhat higher than the ones provided by the hoarders and smugglers. The government should also buy from the farmers' doorsteps and pay them instant cash after the purchases. In sum, government will have to match or more than match the offers being made by the private buyers to farmers. Only then, it can expect its procurement programme to succeed.